Key West Montessori Charter School Principal Lynn Barras, Ed.M., pilots the “Peace Dove” past the Custom House Museum during last year’s inaugural Key West Art & Historical Society Stanley Papio Kinetic Sculpture Parade. Crafted of nearly 100% recycled materials and “feathers” made from milk jugs, the fabulous fowl was one of more than thirty kinetic creations that participated in 2016. Artist-mentors are currently sought to help students prepare and create sculptures for this year’s parade, set for May 5-7.

Are you an artist with a knack for engineering and teaching others the nuts and bolts of how things work? Does kinetic and recycled art make your heart spin? The Key West Art & Historical Society, steward to the island’s art and history, is preparing to celebrate its Second Annual Papio Kinetic Sculpture and Art Bike Parade, set for May 5-7, and The Society is looking for artists for its STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) outreach program that focuses on kinetics .

“Artists will share their ideas and skills with the students, keeping them motivated and the project on track,” says Adele Williams, Society Director of Education. “These selected artists will help students prepare and create dynamic sculptures that reflect the spirit of Papio while weaving in STEAM principles.”

Selected artists will receive a $1200 stipend to conduct a brainstorming session and two three-hour workshops with students at two different schools, presenting information on kinetic art principles and application, and team mobile sculpture idea development and production.

Inspired by and named for the late Keys artist Stanley Papio, a humorous rebel metal-artist who explored the value of recycled materials long before it was hip to be rusty, the parade will present human-powered mobile sculptures that will start at the Custom House Museum and travel down the length of Duval Street to its southernmost end.

Papio events kick off on Friday, May 5 with a presentation on Stanley Papio and kinetic art from 6:00pm- 7:00pm at the Custom House Museum, followed by a reception on the porch. Parade day is Saturday May 6; with the parade of kinetic craftiness kicking off from the Custom House at noon, followed by an after-party at the Southernmost Beach from 1:00pm–3:00pm. Sunday, May 7 is the Papio Picnic and Kinetic Kids Day at Fort East Martello Museum from 11:30am-3:00pm, featuring with family-friendly activities and food and libations for purchase. Entrance to the museum that day will be free.

Interested artists can contact Adele Williams at 305.295.6616 x 115 for more information; deadline to apply is March 6th. Schools interested in participating can also inquire. The Papio Kinetic Sculpture Parade is sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council of the Arts and Culture, and the State of Florida. Additional support provided by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, Historic Tours of America, Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina and Southernmost Beach Café. For registration information, event schedule, entry guidelines and pre-parade workshop information, visit www.papiokineticparade.com or call Adele Williams, 305.295.6616 x 115. Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island